U.S. patent number 10,271,668 [Application Number 15/212,123] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-30 for refrigerator and method for controlling the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Eun Joo Lee, Hang Bok Lee.
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United States Patent |
10,271,668 |
Lee , et al. |
April 30, 2019 |
Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
Abstract
Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerating
compartment, a freezing compartment, and a door assembly. The
freezing compartment is adjacent to the refrigerating compartment.
The door assembly selectively opens the refrigerating compartment
and the freezing compartment. The door assembly includes a glass
member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside
of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be
seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed, a deposition
treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow
light to partially pass through the glass member, and a transparent
plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member. Gas
for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass
member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.
Inventors: |
Lee; Eun Joo (Gyeongsangnam-do,
KR), Lee; Hang Bok (Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul,
KR)
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Family
ID: |
44319959 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/212,123 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160324337 A1 |
Nov 10, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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14724980 |
May 29, 2015 |
9510696 |
|
|
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13390946 |
Jun 2, 2015 |
9046294 |
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PCT/KR2011/000374 |
Jan 19, 2011 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 1, 2010 [KR] |
|
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10-2010-0008977 |
Feb 1, 2010 [KR] |
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10-2010-0008978 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D
27/00 (20130101); A47F 3/001 (20130101); A47F
3/0434 (20130101); A47F 3/005 (20130101); A47F
3/043 (20130101); F25D 23/028 (20130101); F25D
27/005 (20130101); F25D 23/065 (20130101); F25D
11/02 (20130101); F25D 23/02 (20130101); F25D
23/025 (20130101); F25D 23/04 (20130101); F25D
2400/36 (20130101); F25D 2400/18 (20130101); F25D
2201/14 (20130101); F25D 2323/021 (20130101); F25D
2323/023 (20130101); F25D 25/025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
3/04 (20060101); F25D 23/02 (20060101); F25D
27/00 (20060101); F25D 25/02 (20060101); F25D
23/04 (20060101); F25D 11/02 (20060101); F25D
23/06 (20060101); A47F 3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;312/405,204,405.1,321.5,296,138.1,116,324 ;362/92-94
;52/784.1,784.12,784.13,784.15,784.16 ;62/264,447 ;49/501,70 |
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.
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|
Primary Examiner: Roersma; Andrew M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/724,980, filed May 29, 2015, now pending, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/390,946, filed Feb.
17, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,046,294, which is a U.S. National
Phase Application of International Application PCT/KR2011/000374,
filed on Jan. 19, 2011, which claims the benefit of Korean
Application Nos. 10-2010-0008977 and 10-2010-0008978, filed on Feb.
1, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a first storage
area and a second storage area therein, the first storage area
provided at a lateral side of the second storage area, the
refrigerator configured to maintain the first storage area at a
first operating temperature and the second storage area at a second
operating temperature that is higher than the first operating
temperature; a first door configured to open and close the first
storage area; a second door configured to open and close the second
storage area, and having an opening formed therein; a door basket
provided on a rear surface of the second door and disposed to
horizontally traverse and overlap the opening of the second door to
be visible through the opening from an outside of the refrigerator;
a light unit provided on an inner side of the cabinet and
configured to emit light toward the door basket of the second door;
a glass unit forming a front surface of the second door and
configured to cover the opening of the second door and through
which the door basket is viewable; wherein the glass unit
comprises: a glass member formed of a transparent material and
configured to cover the opening of the second door; a first layer
formed on a surface of the glass member and configured to cover an
entirety of a viewing region of the glass unit, the first layer
being formed of a first color and a first opacity to partially
block the light emitted from the light unit and to transmit a
reduced intensity of the light to an outside of the refrigerator;
and a second layer formed along a circumference of the glass member
and defining the viewing region therein, the second layer having a
second opacity that is more opaque than the first opacity of the
first layer, and configured to block the light emitted from the
light unit, wherein, in a first state in which the light unit is
turned on, the light from the light unit is emitted through the
first layer, and the door basket is visible through the viewing
region, and wherein, in a second state in which the light unit is
turned off, the first layer causes the viewing region to become
darker than in the first state such that the door basket is less
visible through the viewing region as compared to the first state,
and a boundary between the first layer and the second layer becomes
more obscure as compared to the first state.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second
storage area of the cabinet comprises a receiving part configured
to receive food, and wherein the light unit is disposed in front of
the receiving part of the second storage area.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light unit is
arranged along a circumference of a front end of the second storage
area of the cabinet.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light unit is
disposed to emit light towards a center of the opening of the
second door.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light unit is
disposed to face the door basket at a left side and a right side of
the door basket.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the door basket
protrudes toward the inside of the second storage area, and wherein
the light unit is disposed between front and rear ends of the door
basket in a state in which the second door is closed.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of
door baskets is disposed to be spaced apart from each other within
the opening of the second door.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the light unit is
disposed to emit light that passes through the plurality of door
baskets to an outside of the refrigerator.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light unit
comprises plurality of LEDs disposed at predetermined
intervals.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of
LEDs extends in a vertical direction.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the glass unit
is formed on an entirety of the front surface of the second
door.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the second door
includes a rear glass that is transparent and spaced apart from the
glass unit to form a portion of the rear surface of the second
door, and wherein a door body connects the glass unit with the rear
glass to form a circumferential surface and forming an insulation
space.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein, in a state in
which the second door is closed, a front end of the light unit is
disposed to be adjacent to a rear surface of the rear glass.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the rear glass
has a smaller size than the glass unit.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first layer
is a deposition layer.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first layer
is a laminated layer.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second layer
overlaps a portion of the first layer.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an
internal light unit that is provided further towards a rear of the
cabinet as compared to the light unit.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein the light unit
and the internal light unit are configured to be turned on and off
together based on an operation of a timer.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second door
includes a light emitting manipulator configured to turn the light
unit on and off.
21. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the opening of
the second door consists of a single opening, and wherein the door
basket is disposed such that at least one of (i) a bottom portion
of the door basket is arranged lower than a top of the single
opening, or (ii) a top portion of the door basket is arranged
higher than a bottom of the single opening.
22. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second layer
is formed along the circumference of the glass member and is
configured to block the light emitted from the light unit such
that: in the first state in which the light unit is turned on, the
door basket is visible through the viewing region that is defined
by the second layer.
23. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a storage area; a
sub door configured to open and close the storage area and
including a frame in which a first opening is formed a door basket
provided in the frame; a main door configured to open and close the
first opening of the sub door, the main door having a second
opening defined therethrough that is communicative with the first
opening; a light unit provided in the frame of the sub door and
configured to emit light toward the door basket; a glass unit that
defines a front surface of the main door and that covers the second
opening defined through the main door and through which the door
basket is viewable, wherein the glass unit comprises: a glass
member formed of a transparent material and configured to cover the
second opening of the main door; a first layer formed on a surface
of the glass member and configured to cover an entirety of a
viewing region of the glass unit, the first layer being formed of a
first color and a first opacity to partially block the light
emitted from the light unit and to transmit a reduced intensity of
the light to an outside of the refrigerator; and a second layer
formed along a circumference of the glass member and defining the
viewing region therein, the second layer having a second opacity
that is more opaque than the first opacity of the first layer, and
configured to block the light emitted from the light unit, wherein,
in a first state in which the light unit is turned on, the light
from the light unit is emitted through the first layer, and the
door basket is visible through the viewing region, wherein, in a
second state in which the light unit is turned off, the first layer
causes the viewing region to become darker than in the first state
such that the door basket is less visible through the viewing
region as compared to the first state, and a boundary between the
first layer and the second layer becomes more obscure as compared
to the first state.
24. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the main door
includes an opening-manipulator configured to open the main door
according to a user's operation.
25. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the light unit
extends along a vertical longitudinal direction of the first
opening.
26. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the light unit
is disposed on an inner side surface of the frame and is disposed
to face an opposite side of the frame.
27. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the door basket
is arranged inside the frame and extends further rearward than the
light unit.
28. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the light unit
is disposed to face side surfaces of the door basket at left and
right sides of the door basket.
29. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of
door baskets is disposed to be spaced apart from each other within
the first opening.
30. The refrigerator according to claim 29, wherein the light unit
is disposed to emit light that passes through the plurality of door
baskets to an outside of the refrigerator.
31. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the light unit
comprises a plurality of LEDs disposed at predetermined
intervals.
32. The refrigerator according to claim 31, wherein the plurality
of LEDs is vertically disposed in a longitudinal direction of the
opening.
33. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the glass unit
is formed on an entire surface of the main door.
34. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the first layer
is a deposition layer.
35. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the first layer
is a laminated layer.
36. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the second
layer overlaps a portion of the first layer.
37. The refrigerator according to claim 23, further comprising an
internal light unit that is arranged further in rearward direction
of the cabinet as compared to the light unit.
38. The refrigerator according to claim 37, wherein the light unit
and the internal light unit are configured to be turned on and off
together based on operation of a timer.
39. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the main door
includes a light emitting manipulator configured to turn the light
unit on and off.
40. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the second
opening of the main door consists of a single opening, and wherein
the door basket is disposed such that at least one of (i) a bottom
portion of the door basket is arranged lower than a top of the
single opening, or (ii) a top portion of the door basket is
arranged higher than a bottom of the single opening.
41. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein the second
layer is formed along the circumference of the glass member and is
configured to block the light emitted from the light unit such
that: in the first state in which the light unit is turned on, the
door basket is visible through the viewing region defined by the
second layer.
42. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a first storage
area and a second storage area therein, the first storage area
provided at a lower side of the second storage area, the
refrigerator configured to maintain the first storage area at a
first operating temperature and the second storage area at a second
operating temperature that is higher than the first operating
temperature; a first door configured to open and close a first
portion of the second storage area; a second door configured to
open and close a second portion of the second storage area, the
second door having an opening formed therein; a door basket
provided on a rear surface of the second door and disposed to
horizontally traverse and overlap the opening of the second door to
be visible through the opening from an outside of the refrigerator;
a light unit provided on an inner side of the cabinet and
configured to emit light toward the door basket of the second door;
a glass unit forming a front surface of the second door and
configured to cover the opening of the second door and through
which the door basket is viewable; wherein the glass unit
comprises: a glass member formed of a transparent material and
configured to cover the opening of the second door; a first layer
formed on a surface of the glass member and configured to cover an
entirety of a viewing region of the glass unit, the first layer
being formed of a first color and a first opacity to partially
block the light emitted from the light unit and to transmit a
reduced intensity of the light to an outside of the refrigerator;
and a second layer formed along a circumference of the glass member
and defining the viewing region therein, the second layer having a
second opacity that is more opaque than the first opacity of the
first layer, and configured to block the light emitted from the
light unit, wherein, in a first state in which the light unit is
turned on, the light from the light unit is emitted through the
first layer, and the door basket is visible through the viewing
region, and wherein, in a second state in which the light unit is
turned off, the first layer causes the viewing region to become
darker than in the first state such that the door basket is less
visible through the viewing region as compared to the first state,
and a boundary between the first layer and the second layer becomes
more obscure as compared to the first state.
43. The refrigerator according to claim 42, wherein the glass unit
covers an entire surface of the second door.
44. The refrigerator according to claim 42, wherein the glass unit
covers at least the opening of the second door.
45. The refrigerator according to claim 42, wherein the opening of
the second door consists of a single opening, and wherein the door
basket is disposed such that at least one of (i) a bottom portion
of the door basket is arranged lower than a top of the single
opening, or (ii) a top portion of the door basket is arranged
higher than a bottom of the single opening.
46. The refrigerator according to claim 42, wherein the second
layer is formed along the circumference of the glass member and is
configured to block the light emitted from the light unit such
that: in the first state in which the light unit is turned on, the
door basket is visible through the viewing region defined by the
second layer.
47. The refrigerator according to claim 42, wherein the light unit
is provided at a front portion of the inner side of the cabinet.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method for
controlling the refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
Refrigerators repeatedly perform a refrigerating cycle to cool a
refrigerating compartment or freezing compartment, so that foods
can be freshly stored therein for a predetermined time.
Such a refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space,
and a door selectively opening or closing the main body. An item is
stored in the storage space, and the door can be opened to take out
the stored item.
Since the main body is covered with the door, it is difficult to
figure out the position of an item to be taken out until opening
the door.
Thus, the door should be opened to figure out the position of an
item. At this point, cool air may flow out from the storage
space.
Accordingly, the temperature of the storage space may increase,
items stored in the refrigerator may be degraded, and power
consumption for cooling the storage space may be increased.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
Embodiments provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the
refrigerator, which make it possible to see through the
refrigerator from the outside.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator and a method for
controlling the refrigerator, which make it possible to perceive an
item stored in the refrigerator by operating a light emitting part
when a refrigerator door is closed.
Embodiments also provide a refrigerator and a method for
controlling the refrigerator, which make it possible to selectively
drive a viewing window and a display unit for displaying an
operation state of the refrigerator.
Solution to Problem
In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerating
compartment; a freezing compartment adjacent to the refrigerating
compartment; and a door assembly selectively opening or closing
each the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment,
wherein the door assembly includes: a glass member defining a
frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the
refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen
therethrough when the door assembly is closed; a deposition treated
layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light
to partially pass through the glass member; and a transparent plate
spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member, wherein gas
for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass
member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.
In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body
defining a storage compartment; a light emitting part configured to
emit light to the storage compartment; and a door selectively
opening or closing the storage compartment, wherein the door
includes: an inner door part allowing the light from the light
emitting part to pass therethrough; an outer door part allowing the
light passing through the inner door part to selectively pass
therethrough; and a gas layer for insulation which fills a space
between the inner door part and the outer door part, wherein, when
the light emitting part is turned on and the door is closed, an
item inside the storage compartment is perceived from a frontal
viewing of the door.
In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body having
a storage compartment for storing food stuff; a light emitting part
configured to emit light to the storage compartment; a door opening
or closing the storage compartment, the door having a viewing
window allowing the light from the light emitting part to be
released outwards; a display unit disposed on the door to display
information regarding performance of the refrigerator; a viewing
conversion input switch configured to input a command for operating
the light emitting part and the display unit; and a control unit
configured to turn the light emitting part on and stop the display
unit from displaying the information, according to a signal from
the viewing conversion input switch.
In another embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator
comprising a main body having a storage compartment, a light
emitting part illuminating the storage compartment, and a door
selectively opening or closing the storage compartment includes:
displaying preset information through a display unit disposed on
the door; inputting a view converting command through a viewing
conversion input switch disposed on the door; emitting light by
operating the light emitting part according to the view converting
command; and allowing the light emitted from the light emitting
part to pass through a viewing window disposed on the door, such
that food stuff within the storage compartment be seen through the
viewing window from an outside of the refrigerator.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
According to the embodiment, since the deposition-treated glass
member is provided to the refrigerator door to show the storage
space to the outside, a stored item to be taken out can be
perceived without opening the refrigerator door.
In addition, since the refrigerator includes the light emitting
part to illuminate the storage space, the position of an item can
be easily checked. Also, since the light emitting part can be
selectively operated, user convenience can be improved and power
consumption can be reduced.
In addition, since the refrigerator door includes the glass member
and the transparent plate, and the insulating gas layer is disposed
between the glass member and the transparent plate, the inside of
the refrigerator can be seen through the refrigerator door from the
outside, and the insulating performance of the refrigerator door
can be ensured.
In addition, the display unit for displaying an operation state of
the refrigerator is provided to the refrigerator door, and
selectively disappears such that an item stored in the storage
compartment can be perceived through the viewing window, and
further, the light emitting part emits light, thereby improving
user convenience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according
to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an open state of a door
coupled a second receiving part, according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an open state of the door
without the second receiving part according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of FIG.
3.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first
refrigerating compartment door according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG.
1.
FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic views illustrating a process that is
performed on an outer door part according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of
an outer door part according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a
refrigerator according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a
refrigerator according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illus rating a refrigerator according
to a fourth embodiment.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views illustrating a driving
unit for driving a display unit of a refrigerator according to the
fourth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of a
viewing window of the refrigerator according to the fourth
embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
refrigerator according to an embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a
refrigerator according to an embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according
to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an
open state of a door coupled with a second receiving part,
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view
illustrating an open state of the door without the second receiving
part according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line II-II' of FIG. 3.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a refrigerator 1 according to an
embodiment includes a main body 10 that defines a freezing
compartment 20 and a refrigerating compartment 30 as storage
spaces. The freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating
compartment 30 are separated from each other by a partition 15, and
are laterally arrayed in parallel. A first receiving part 70 for
receiving items is disposed in the freezing compartment 20 and the
refrigerating compartment 30. The first receiving part 70 includes
a shelf.
A first light emitting part 17 that emits light to the first
receiving part 70 is disposed at the frontal edge portion of the
main body 10. The first light emitting part 17 may be disposed
around the frontal edge portion of the freezing compartment 20 and
the refrigerating compartment 30, and may include a light emitting
diode (LED).
Compartment doors are rotatably disposed on the front surface of
the main body 10 to selectively close the freezing compartment 20
and the refrigerating compartment 30.
The compartment doors include a first freezing compartment door 21
and a second freezing compartment door 22, which close the freezing
compartment 20. The second freezing compartment door 22 may be
disposed under the first freezing compartment door 21. The
compartment door further includes a first refrigerating compartment
door 100 and a second refrigerating compartment door 32, which
close the refrigerating compartment 30. The second refrigerating
compartment door 32 may be disposed under the first refrigerating
compartment door 100.
Pressable opening-manipulators 40 may be disposed on the front
surfaces of the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 and the
refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100 to open the freezing
compartment doors 21 and 22 and the refrigerating compartment doors
32 and 100. The front end of the main body 10 may be provided with
opening mechanisms (not shown) that move in conjunction with the
opening-manipulators 40.
When the opening-manipulator 40 is manipulated, the opening
mechanism moves a corresponding one of the doors 21, 22, 32 and 100
forward to open at least one portion of the freezing compartment 20
or the refrigerating compartment 30.
A display unit 50 may be disposed on the first freezing compartment
door 21 to display an operation state of the refrigerator 1 to the
outside thereof. The display unit 50 may include input parts (not
shown) to control an operation state of the refrigerator 1.
A viewing window 105 may be disposed on the first refrigerating
compartment door 100 to see the inside of the refrigerating
compartment 30 from the outside thereof. The viewing window 105 may
constitute at least one portion of the front surface of the first
refrigerating compartment door 100.
The first refrigerating compartment door 100 may be provided with a
light emitting manipulator 90 that turns the first light emitting
part 17 on. The light emitting manipulator 90 includes a
button-type or touch-type input part.
Sub-doors for receiving an item may be disposed behind the doors
21, 22, 100, and 32. The sub-doors include a sub-door provided to
the freezing compartment 20 and a sub-door 80 provided to the
refrigerating compartment 30, which may be rotatably connected to
the front portions of the freezing compartment 20 and the
refrigerating compartment 30, and may have a length corresponding
to the length of the freezing compartment 20 and the length of the
refrigerating compartment 30. Hereinafter, the sub-doors are
described with respect to the sub-door 80 provided to the
refrigerating compartment 30, and the sub-door provided to the
freezing compartment 20 may also be denoted by 80.
In detail, the sub-door 80 may include a frame 81 having a size to
be received in the freezing compartment 20 or the refrigerating
compartment 30, a sub-door handle 82 protruding from the front
surface of the frame 81, and second receiving parts. The frame 81
is tetragonal in which the second receiving part may be removably
mounted. The sub-door handle 82 may horizontally extend on the
front surface of the frame 81.
The sub-door 80 may be removed from the freezing compartment doors
21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100, and be
disposed within the main body 10. That is, the sub-door 80 may be
removed from the freezing compartment 20 or the refrigerating
compartment 30 by rotating together with the freezing compartment
doors 21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100,
or be disposed in the main body 10 when the freezing compartment
doors 21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100
are opened.
The first refrigerating compartment door 100 and the first freezing
compartment door 21 are provided with a door handle 60 that can be
held to open the first refrigerating compartment door 100.
The sub-door handle 82 is disposed behind the door handle 60, and
may have a shape corresponding to the door handle 60. A third light
emitting part 88 may be disposed within the sub-door handle 82. The
third light emitting part 88 emits light to show the sub-door
handle 82 in a dark indoor space. As described above, the sub-door
handle 82 protrudes front approximately the central portion of the
front surface of the sub-door 80, and may be integrally formed with
the sub-door 80. A recess part may be recessed a predetermined
depth upward from the bottom surface of the sub-door handle 82 to
easily hold the sub-door handle 82. The front surface of the
sub-door handle 82 is covered with the first refrigerating
compartment door 100 and the first freezing compartment door 21,
and thus, cannot be seen from the outside of the refrigerator 1.
The recess part of the sub-door handle 82 can be held through a
space formed between the first and second refrigerating compartment
door 100 and 32 and a space formed between the first and second
freezing compartment door 21 and 22.
As a result, when one of the opening-manipulators 40 is
manipulated, only a corresponding one of the doors 21, 22, 100, and
32 can be opened. In the state where the doors 21, 22, 100, and 32
are closed, when the sub-door handle 82 is pulled out, the doors
21, 22, 100, and 32 and the sub-door 80 are simultaneously opened.
For example, in the state where the first and second refrigerating
compartment doors 100 and 32 are closed, when the sub-door handle
82 is pulled out, the first and second refrigerating compartment
doors 100 and 32 and the sub-door 80 are simultaneously opened. The
first and second freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 are opened in
the same manner as those of the first and second refrigerating
compartment doors 100 and 32. The second receiving parts of the
sub-door 80 may include a receiving basket 84 and a receiving
drawer part 85 to receive items. When only the first and second
refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 are opened, the
receiving drawer part 85 can be pulled forward.
The sub-door 80 includes a frontal edge portion 811 that
constitutes a front border of the frame 81 when the sub-door 80 is
disposed in the main body 10. The frontal edge portion 811 may be
in close contact with the rear surfaces of the first and second
refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 when the first and
second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 are closed.
The inner surface of the frontal edge portion 811 may be provided
with a second light emitting part 87 that emits light to the center
of the sub-door 80. The second light emitting part 87 may include
an LED, and be operated by manipulating the light emitting
manipulator 90.
When the second light emitting part 87 is turned on, an item stored
in the sub-door 80 can be seen from the outside through the viewing
window 105. In detail, when the light emitting manipulator 90 is
manipulated, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light
emitting part 87 are turned on at the same time, which may be
maintained for a preset time. When the first and second light
emitting parts 17 operate, items stored in the first receiving part
70 and the sub-door 80 can be seen from the outside through the
viewing window 105.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first
refrigerating compartment door according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG.
1.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first refrigerating compartment
door 100 according to the first embodiment includes an outer door
part 110 defining an exterior of the first refrigerating
compartment door 100, an inner door part 150 spaced rearward from
the outer door part 110, and a door body 130 coupling the outer
door part 110 and the inner door part 150 to each other. A border
of the inner door part 150 is provided with a sealing member 160
that seals the space between the first refrigerating compartment
door 100 and the sub-door 80.
In detail, the outer door part 110 is provided with the viewing
window 105 through which the inside of the refrigerator 1 can be
seen from the outside. To this end, the outer door part 110 may be
formed of transparent glass.
Further, a specific lamination or deposition process may be
performed on the transparent glass, which will be described later
with reference to drawings.
The rear surface of the outer door part 110 is provided with a
coupling surface 112 for coupling to the door body 130. The
coupling surface 112 has a certain area along a border of the door
body 130.
The front surface of the door body 130 may be coupled to the
coupling surface 112 using heat welding or supersonic welding.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus,
the door body 130 may be coupled to the outer door part 110 by a
separate coupling member.
The lower portion of the outer door part 110 is provided with a
support 115 that supports the lower portion of the door body 130.
The support 115 extends to the rear side of the outer door part
110.
The door body 130 includes an insulating space 135 that has a
hollow rectangle shape and functions as an insulating part for
insulating the refrigerating compartment 30. The front portion of
the insulating space 135 is covered by the outer door part 110. As
described above, the outer door part 110 may be coupled to the
front surface of the door body 130.
The rear portion of the insulating space 135 is covered by the
inner door part 150. The door body 130 includes a support rib 134
that supports the inner door part 150.
The support rib 134 protrudes rearward around the insulating space
135. The inner door part 150 coupled to the rear portion of the
door body 130 may be supported by at least one portion of the
support rib 134. At this point, the inner door part 150 may be
adhered to the support rib 134. In this case, the support rib 134
functions as a coupling rib.
As a result, the insulating space 135 has a thickness corresponding
to the thickness of the door body 130.
When the outer door part 110 and the inner door part 150 are
coupled to the front and rear portions of the door body 130, an
insulating gas layer may be formed in the insulating space 135. The
insulating gas layer may include at least one of air, argon (Ar),
and krypton (Kr), which have high insulating performance.
The insulating space 135 may be maintained in a vacuum state. In
this case, the insulating space 135 has no heat exchange medium,
and thus, a heat exchange between the refrigerating compartment 30
and the outside can be minimized.
A sealing coupling part 133, which is coupled with the sealing
member 160, is disposed outside the support rib 134. The sealing
member 160 is coupled to the sealing coupling part 133 to prevent a
leakage of cool air through the space between the first
refrigerating compartment door 100 and the sub-door 80.
The door body 130 is provided with a door shoulder 132 that closely
contacts the main body 10 when the first refrigerating compartment
door 100 is closed on the main body 10. The door shoulder 132 mates
with a main shoulder 19 (refer to FIG. 4), and is inclined in a
certain direction.
Although not shown, a sealing member may be disposed between the
door shoulder 132 and the main shoulder 19.
The inner door part 150 may include a transparent material to show
the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30. For example, the
inner door part 150 may include a transparent plate that is formed
of glass or plastic to fully transmit light.
FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic views illustrating a process that is
performed on an outer door part according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of
an outer door part according to the first embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a treatment (process) for a glass
member will now be described according to the first embodiment.
First, a lamination process is performed on a glass member 111 that
is a principal part of the outer door part 110. The glass member
111 may be formed of a transparent material. Here, the transparent
material may be defined as a material capable of fully transmitting
light.
Through the lamination process, a lamination treated layer 112 may
be formed on a front surface 111a constituting the front surface of
the glass member 111. The lamination treated layer 112 may be
formed through a glass lamination process.
The glass lamination process is a method for expressing various
feelings according to lighting or a viewing angle, in which glass
ink is applied on the glass member 111 and then is heated at a
temperature ranging from about 600.degree. C. to about 700.degree.
C. such that the glass ink soaks in the glass member 111.
In detail, the lamination treated layer 112 includes a lamination
layer 113, a reflective lamination layer 114, and a protective
coating part 115. The lamination layer 113 may be printed using a
silk screen lamination method, the so-called screen process. The
silk screen lamination method makes it possible to freely express
various colors and use various base materials, and is not limited
in size and material. In the current embodiment, the front surface
111a of the glass member 111 may be colored silver or blue.
The reflective lamination layer 114 is disposed on the upper side
of the lamination layer 113 such that a color printed on the
lamination layer 113 is displayed through the glass member 111
without a distortion. That is, the reflective lamination layer 114
is configured to increase the color reflectivity of light passing
through the lamination layer 113. The reflective lamination layer
114 and the lamination layer 113 may reduce the transparency of the
glass member 111. The reflective lamination layer 114 has a
thickness ranging from about 10 .mu.m to about 40 .mu.m to reflect
most of light passing through the lamination layer 113. When the
reflectivity of light is improved, the intensity of the light
reflected through the lamination layer 113 increases, and thus, a
color of the lamination layer 113 is more vivid. A gradation effect
of the glass member 111 can be attained using the reflective
lamination layer 114.
The protective coating part 115 may be formed of epoxy resin to
protect the lamination layer 113 and the reflective lamination
layer 114. The protective coating part 115 may be formed through
laminating on the upper portion of the reflection lamination layer
114.
The lamination treated layer 112 configured as described above has
a predetermined color to screen the transparent glass member 111 to
a predetermined extent, and thus, a predetermined pattern is formed
on the glass member 111.
Here, the term `screen` denotes making the glass member 111 opaque
to a predetermined extent.
After the lamination treated layer 112 is formed on the glass
member 111, a deposition process is performed on a rear surface
111b of the glass member 111. Through the deposition process, a
deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the rear surface. 111b.
The term `deposition treated` denotes processing an uneven surface
of the glass member 111 to form an even (smooth) surface, and
coloring a surface of the glass member 111. Since the deposition
treated layer 116 is disposed on the glass member 111, a portion of
light can be emitted from the inside of the refrigerating
compartment 30 to the outside.
In detail, the deposition treated layer 116 may be formed through
an evaporation process. In the evaporation process, a metal source
is heated, melted, and evaporated at a high temperature to be
deposited on a base material (a wafer), that is, on the glass
member 111. The evaporation process uses a principle that, when a
metal is heated and evaporated at a high temperature for a short
time, metal particles come out from the evaporated metal and are
attached to a surface of a low temperature base material to form a
thin metal film thereon. An electron beam may be used as an
evaporating member in the evaporation process. A multi layer of a
metal or metal oxide is heated, melted, and evaporated by the
electron beam to form a film on a surface of a base material. Since
the metal oxidizes at high temperature in the evaporation process,
the evaporation process is performed in a vacuum state, and thus,
may be called a vacuum evaporation process.
Accordingly, when the deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the
glass member 111, an uneven surface of the glass member 111 is
changed to a smooth surface, and thus, the outer door part 110
looks more luxurious.
The metal or metal oxide may include SiO.sub.2 or TiO.sub.2.
When SiO.sub.2 is used as a source material to be deposited on the
glass member 111, the glass member 111 may be colored approximately
in blue. When TiO.sub.2 is used as a source material to be
deposited on the glass member 111, the glass member 110 may be
colored approximately in silver. As described above, when SiO.sub.2
or TiO.sub.2 is used as a source material to be deposited on the
glass member 111, the glass member 111 can be variously colored,
and thus, the outer door part 110 can have a fancy color.
In addition, direct glare of light emitted from the first light
emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 can be
prevented. That is, since the transparency of the glass member 111
is decreased (increase of opacity), light emitted from the first
light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 is
perceived as soft light from the outside. Through the evaporation
process, the glass member 111 is improved in hardness and corrosion
resistance, and is more resistant to temperature and humidity
variations. Although the rear surface 111b of the outer door part
110 is exposed to gas in the insulating space 135 for a long time,
discoloration or decoloration thereof can be prevented.
Alternatively, a sputtering process may be used as a depositing
process for the glass member 111. In the sputtering process, plasma
is formed by a high voltage generated from a voltage generating
device such that plasma ions collide with a target to attach metal
atoms to a base material, that is, to a surface of the glass member
111, thereby forming a metal film. In detail, argon (AN+) gas may
be used to form the plasma ions, and stannum (Sn) may be used as
the target. Thus, when the argon gas is ionized by a high voltage
and collides with the stannum, particles coming out from the
stannum are attached to the glass member 111 to form a metal film.
Alternatively, aluminum (Al) may be used as the target. In this
case, the argon gas collides with the aluminum, and particles
coming out from the aluminum are attached to the glass member 111
to form a metal film.
After the deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the rear
surface 111b, a screening layer 117 is formed on a border of the
rear surface 111b. The screening layer 117 may be formed through
the above-described lamination process, and may further make the
glass member 111 opaque.
The lamination process may be performed at several times for the
screening layer 117 to effectively screen the glass member 111. The
screening layer 117 formed on the rear surface 111b prevents the
emission of light from the first and second light emitting parts 17
and 87 to the outside. That is, light emitted from the first and
second light emitting parts 17 and 87 is reflected by the screening
layer 117. Thus, the light emitted from the first and second light
emitting parts 17 and 87 can be transmitted through the region of
the deposition treated layer 116 except for the screening layer
117. As described above, since the deposition treated layer 116 has
a predetermined color and opacity, the light emitted from the first
and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 partially pass through
the deposition treated layer 116. Accordingly, soft light without
glare is emitted, and items stored in the refrigerating compartment
30, that is, in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can
be seen from the outside. In this case, the viewing window 105 for
showing the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30 may
correspond to the region of the deposition treated layer 116. As a
result, a user can perceive the positions of the items visually in
comfort.
An operation of a refrigerator will now be described according to
the first embodiment.
The light emitting manipulator 90 may be pressed to perceive items
stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, that is, in the first
receiving part 70 and the second receiving part of the sub-door
80.
Then, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light
emitting part 87 may be turned on, and light emitted therefrom is
transmitted by the inner door part 150 and the outer door part 110
which are formed of transparent materials, and is emitted to the
outside.
At this point, since the deposition treated layer 116 and the
lamination treated layer 112, which have predetermined colors and
opacity, are disposed on the outer door part 110, a portion of the
light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and
87 is reflected from the outer door part 110, and the other thereof
is transmitted by the viewing window 105, and thus, is softly
emitted to the outside. At this point, the items stored in the
first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be perceived from
the outside, After a predetermined time is elapsed, the first light
emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 may be
turned off, thereby reducing the power consumption thereof.
Although the viewing window 105 is provided to the first
refrigerating compartment door 100 in the current embodiment, the
viewing window 105 may be provided to one of the first and second
freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 according to another
embodiment. In addition, an item stored in the freezing compartment
20 can be perceived from the outside.
Hereinafter, a description will be made according to a second
embodiment. Since the current embodiment is the same as the first
embodiment except for a disposition of a storage compartment,
different parts between the first and second embodiments will be
described principally, and a description of the same parts will be
omitted, and like reference numerals denote like elements
throughout.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a
refrigerator according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a
perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator
according to a third embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 11, a refrigerator 200 according to the second
embodiment includes a main body 210 defining a storage compartment,
and doors 220 and 230 closing the storage compartment.
The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment for
storing an item under refrigeration, and a freezing compartment for
storing an item under freezing. The doors 220 and 230 include
refrigerating compartment doors (also denoted by 220) rotatably
coupled to the front portion of the refrigerating compartment, and
a freezing compartment door (also denoted by 230) closing the front
portion of the freezing compartment.
The refrigerator 200 is a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which
a refrigerating compartment is disposed over a freezing
compartment.
The refrigerating compartment door 220 is provided with a viewing
window 225 to perceive a receiving part 227 provided to the
refrigerating compartment, from the outside of the refrigerator
200. Since the viewing window 225 is the some in configuration as
the viewing window 105, a description thereof will be omitted.
The lower portion of the refrigerating compartment door 220 is
provided with a light emitting manipulator 250 that is manipulated
to operate a light emitting part disposed in the refrigerating
compartment. Although not shown, the light emitting part is
disposed in the refrigerating compartment to emit light to an item
stored in the receiving part 227.
According to the configuration as described above, an item disposed
in the refrigerating compartment can be perceived through the
viewing window 225 by manipulating the light emitting manipulator
250 without opening the refrigerating compartment door 220.
Referring to FIG. 12, a refrigerator 300 according to the third
embodiment includes a main body 310 defining a storage compartment,
and doors 320 and 330 closing the storage compartment.
The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment for
storing an item under refrigeration, and a freezing compartment for
storing an item under freezing. The doors 320 and 330 include a
refrigerating compartment door (also denoted by 320) and a freezing
compartment door (also denoted by 330), which are rotatably coupled
to the front portions of the refrigerating compartment and the
freezing compartment, respectively.
The refrigerator 300 is a side by side type refrigerator in which a
refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed
on the left and right sides.
The refrigerating compartment door 320 is provided with a viewing
window 325 to perceive a receiving part 327 provided to the
refrigerating compartment, from the outside of the refrigerator
300. Since the viewing window 325 is the some in configuration as
the viewing window 105, a description thereof will be omitted.
The freezing compartment door 330 is provided with a light emitting
manipulator 350 that can be manipulated to operate a light emitting
part disposed in the refrigerating compartment. A display unit 340
for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator 300, an input
part 342 for inputting a predetermined command for operating the
refrigerator 300 are disposed at a side of the light emitting
manipulator 350.
According to the configuration as described above, an item disposed
in the refrigerating compartment can be perceived through the
viewing window 325 by manipulating the light emitting manipulator
350 without opening the refrigerating compartment door 320.
Although the viewing window 325 is provided to the refrigerating
compartment door 320 according to the current embodiment, the
viewing window 325 may be provided to the freezing compartment door
330 according to another embodiment. In this case, an item disposed
in the freezing compartment can be perceived from the outside
without opening the freezing compartment door 330. In this case,
the light emitting manipulator 350 may be provided to the
refrigerating compartment door 320.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according
to a fourth embodiment. FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views
illustrating a driving unit for driving a display unit of a
refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a
perspective view illustrating an operation of a viewing window of
the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.
Hereinafter, a description of the same components as those of FIGS.
1 to 12 will be omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, the first refrigerating compartment
door 100 according to an embodiment includes the display unit 50
for displaying an operation state of a refrigerator, the light
emitting manipulator 90 for manipulating the first and second light
emitting parts 17 and 87 and the display unit 50, and input parts
92 for commanding the refrigerator to operate.
In detail, the display unit 50 may be disposed in a region
corresponding to the viewing window 105. When the first and second
light emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned off, the display unit 50
is displayed to the outside of the refrigerator, and it is
difficult to see the inside of the refrigerating compartment
30.
The input part 92 is manipulated to input a command for operating
the refrigerator, for example, a command for controlling a
temperature of the freezing compartment 20 and a temperature of the
refrigerating compartment 30, and a command for operating a special
refrigerating compartment.
When the light emitting manipulator 90 is manipulated, the display
unit 50 or the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 may
be selectively turned on or off. An operation (control) method
related with these on/off operations will be described later with
reference to drawings.
The rear surface of the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is
provided with a driving unit 400 for driving the display unit 50.
The driving unit 400 may be disposed in the insulating space
135.
In detail, the driving unit 400 includes: an upper plate 420 and a
lower plate 460, which spaced apart from each other and are
vertically arrayed; a first transparent conductor 430 disposed
under the upper plate 420 a second transparent conductor 450
disposed over the lower plate 460; and a liquid crystal layer 440
disposed between the first and second transparent conductors 430
and 450. The upper plate 420 and the lower plate 460 may be formed
of transparent glass or plastic, which fully transmit light.
The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 are
transparent electrodes for driving the liquid crystal layer 440,
and may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO). The first and second
transparent conductors 430 and 450 may have predetermined
conductivity and transmissivity.
The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 may be
driven as positive and negative electrodes by power supplied from a
power supply 490, and thus, an alignment of the liquid crystal
layer 440 is determined in a predetermined direction according to
the driving of the first and second transparent conductors 430 and
450.
The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 may
constitute one of pixels including a plurality of electrodes. When
power is applied to a part of the electrodes, an alignment of the
liquid crystal layer 440 corresponding to the part of the
electrodes is determined in a predetermined direction.
A character or a numeral displayed on the display unit 50 is
expressed in a specific shape by the driving of the first and
second transparent conductors 430 and 450 constituted in a pixel
unit, and the driving of the liquid crystal layer 440 corresponding
to the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450. A
vibration direction of light may be determined according to an
alignment degree of the liquid crystal layer 440, for example,
according to an alignment angle from a vertical axis.
A first polarizing plate 412 is disposed over the upper plate 420,
and a second polarizing plate 414 is disposed under the lower plate
460, and uses polarization as a property of light to transmit light
having only a predetermined direction. For example, light passing
through the first polarizing plate 412 may be polarized vertically
with respect to an optical axis, and light passing through the
second polarizing plate 414 may be polarized horizontally with
respect to the optical axis. The liquid crystal layer 440, the
first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450, the first and
second polarizing plates 212 and 214, and the upper and lower
plates 420 and 460 may constitute an LCD panel.
Backlights 480 for emitting light and a light guide panel 470 are
disposed under the second polarizing plate 414. The light guide
panel 470 is disposed between the backlights 480 to guide light
emitted from the back light units 480 to the LCD panel, that is, to
the liquid crystal layer 440. The backlights 480 and the light
guide panel 470 may constitute a backlight unit.
An operation of the driving unit 400 will now be described.
When the backlights 480 emit light, the light guide panel 470
uniformly transmits the light to the liquid crystal layer 440. The
light transmitted by the light guide panel 470 is filtered by the
second polarizing plate 414, so that only light having a first
direction passes through the second polarizing plate 414. The light
passing through the second polarizing plate 414 is transmitted to
the liquid crystal layer 440 through the lower plate 460. At this
point, the liquid crystal layer 440 is driven by the first and
second transparent conductors 430 and 450, and an alignment thereof
is determined in a preset direction. The light passing through the
liquid crystal layer 440 may change its direction to a direction
different from the first direction.
Then, the light is transmitted from the liquid crystal layer 440 to
the upper plate 420 and the first polarizing plate 412. At this
point, only light having a second direction passes through the
first polarizing plate 412. When a vibration direction of the light
passing through the liquid crystal layer 440 is the same as the
second direction of the first polarizing plate 412, the light
entirely passes through the first polarizing plate 412, and thus, a
white color can be seen. On the contrary, when a vibration
direction of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 440
is perpendicular to the second direction of the first polarizing
plate 412, the light is blocked by the first polarizing plate 412,
and thus, a black color can be seen. That is, a white or black
color can be seen on the display unit 50 according to an alignment
of the liquid crystal layer 440 and a vibration direction of light
emitted from the backlights 480. Although not shown, a color filter
may be disposed on the upper plate 420. In this case, light passing
through the upper plate 420 may have a predetermined color.
As a result, a character (numeral) or a figure displayed on the
display unit 50 may be formed by driving of the liquid crystal
layer 440 and the filtering of light through the first and second
polarizing plates 412 and 414.
When power applied to the first and second transparent conductors
430 and 450 is cut off, and the backlights 480 are turned off,
light just passes through the driving unit 400. In this case,
information (character and figure) to be displayed through the
display unit 50 are transparent, and thus, is invisible on the
first refrigerating compartment door 100. When the first and second
light emitting parts 17 and 87 emit light, the display unit 50
transmits the light to the outside of the first refrigerating
compartment door 100. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the display
unit 50 is invisible on the first refrigerating compartment door
100, and items stored in the first receiving part 70 and the
sub-door 80 can be seen through the viewing window 105 from the
outside.
An operation of a refrigerator will now be described according to
an embodiment.
When the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is closed, and
the driving unit 400 is driven, the display unit 50 is displayed on
the first refrigerating compartment door 100. In this state, the
light emitting manipulator 90 may be pressed to perceive items
stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, that is, in the first
receiving part 70 and the second receiving part (also denoted by
80).
When the light emitting manipulator 90 is pressed, power applied to
the power supply 490 and the backlights 480 is cut off, and a
numeral and a character displayed on the display unit 50 disappear.
At this point, the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87
may be turned on, and light emitted from the first and second light
emitting parts 17 and 87 may be transmitted to the outside by the
transparent inner door part 150 and the transparent outer door part
110.
Since the light emitting manipulator 90 may be manipulated to
perceive an item in the refrigerating compartment 30, the light
emitting manipulator 90 may be called a viewing conversion input
switch.
In this case, since the deposition treated layer 116 and the
lamination treated layer 112, which have predetermined colors and
opacity, are disposed on the outer door part 110, a portion of
light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and
87 is reflected from the outer door part 110, and the other is
emitted through the viewing window 105, and thus, soft light is
emitted to the outside.
At this point, the items stored in the first receiving part 70 and
the sub-door 80 can be perceived from the outside. After a
predetermined time is elapsed, the first light emitting part 17 and
the second light emitting part 87 may be turned off, thereby
reducing the power consumption thereof.
Although the viewing window 105 is provided to the first
refrigerating compartment door 100 in the current embodiment, the
viewing window 105 may be provided to one of the first and second
freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 according to another
embodiment. In addition, an item stored in the freezing compartment
20 can be perceived from the outside.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart
illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to
an embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the refrigerator 1 according to an
embodiment includes the input part 92 for inputting a predetermined
command to the display unit 50, the light emitting manipulator 90
for turning the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 on
to perceive an item stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, and
a timer 320 used to count a duration time that the light emitting
manipulator 90 is stayed on.
The refrigerator 1 includes the driving unit 400 for driving the
display unit 50, the first light emitting part 17 for emitting
light to the first receiving part 70, and the second light emitting
part 87 for emitting light to the receiving part 80.
In detail, the driving unit 400 includes the power supply 490 for
applying power to the first and second transparent conductors 430
and 450, and the backlights 480 disposed behind the liquid crystal
layer 440 to emit predetermined light.
The refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 300. The control unit
300 controls the driving unit 400 and the first and second light
emitting parts 17 and 87 according to commands input from the input
part 92 and the light emitting manipulator 90.
Referring to FIG. 18, a method for controlling a refrigerator will
now be described according to the current embodiment.
When the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is closed in
operation S11, the display unit 50 is turned on to display an
operation state of a refrigerator on the front side of the viewing
window 105. The display unit 50 may be turned on even when the
first refrigerating compartment door 100 is opened, in detail, when
the driving unit 400 is driven to apply power to the power supply
490, and the backlights 480 emit light to the light guide panel
470, the display unit 50 is turned on in operation S12.
In this state, it is determined in operation S13 whether a command
is input through the light emitting manipulator 90. If a command is
input through the light emitting manipulator 90, the display unit
50 is turned off in operation S14, and the first and second light
emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned on in operation S15. While the
display unit 50 is turned off, the LCD panel and the backlight unit
are stopped.
Light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and
87 passes through the driving unit 400, the display unit 50, and
the viewing window 105, and is emitted to the outside. At this
point, the items stored in the first and second receiving parts 70
and 80 can be shown to the outside in operation S16.
If a command is not input through the light emitting manipulator
90, operation S12 is repeated. That is, the display unit 50 stays
on.
When the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 stay on,
it is determined in operation S17 whether a set time is elapsed. An
on-time of the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87,
that is, a time that light is transmitted from the first and second
light emitting parts 17 and 87 to the outside is measured by the
timer 320, and the control unit 300 determines whether the time
measured by the tinier 320 is over the set time.
If the time measured by the tinier 320 is over the set time, the
first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned off in
operation S18. Then, the driving unit 400 is operated again to turn
the display unit 50 on in operation S19. That is, power is applied
to the power supply 490 to drive the first and second transparent
conductors 430 and 450 and the liquid crystal layer 440, and light
is emitted from the backlights 480 to the liquid crystal layer
440.
On the contrary, the time measured by the timer 320 is not over the
set time, the items are continually shown to the outside.
As such, when the display unit 50 is displayed on the first
refrigerating compartment door 100 in a normal state, an operation
state of the refrigerator 1 can be checked. In addition, when the
light emitting manipulator 90 is manipulated to perceive an item in
the refrigerator 1, the display unit 50 disappears, and the first
and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are operated.
Accordingly, the refrigerator 1 can be conveniently used, thereby
satisfying users.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number
of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that
numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art. For example, a lining layer having high
coefficient of friction may be attached to a wheel of an auxiliary
wheel to prevent a slip, or a rough surface such as knurling may be
provided thereto, or a plurality of wheels may be combined.
* * * * *